Heart of Asia Conference concludes: Stresses on efforts to ensure regional peace, security

ISLAMABAD: The fifth ministerial Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process, which concluded on Wednesday, reaffirmed the commitment by all member states to the principles and objectives to promote regional peace and prosperity with collective efforts.

“We reaffirm our commitment to the principles, objectives, and outcomes of these Conferences that have defined the parameters for the working of Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process aimed at promoting regional peace and prosperity,” reiterated the participants in the joint declaration issued at the completion of the fifth Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process: Enhanced Cooperation for Countering Security Threats and Promoting Connectivity, held at Foreign Office.

Foreign ministers and high-level representatives of the participating and supporting countries, as well as high-level representatives of supporting regional and international organizations from over 30 countries participated in this important conference which was co-chaired by Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Salahuddin Rabbani. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani addressed the opening ceremony of the fifth Ministerial Conference.

The process for this Heart of Asia-Istanbul process was started in 2011 from Istanbul and in 2012 this conference was held in Kabul, in 2013 it was held in Almaty and in 2014 it was held in Beijing. The participants of the conference believed that the pace of continuity demonstrated by the Heart of the Asia-Istanbul Process, in the past few years would continue in future, and the endeavours made under its auspices would manifest themselves in the achievement of goals of lasting peace, security, prosperity and growth of the region.

Through joint declaration, they reaffirmed the respect for each other’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and political independence, as enshrined in the United Nations Charter to which they strongly adhere and reiterate the obligations of states to refrain in their international relations from the threat, or use of force, against the territorial integrity, or political independence of any State, or in any manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations Charter.

Recognising the centrality of the United Nations in international affairs, they reiterated their support to the United Nations in coordinating international civilian efforts to contribute to peace, security and development of Afghanistan, as established by UN Resolution. They also adhered to the principles of non-intervention in the internal affairs of other states and commit to promote a multifaceted approach of regional integration based on trust, equality and dialogue.

The participants of the fifth Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process realised the importance of the conference as an important regional initiative and platform aimed at a stable, peaceful, prosperous and developed Afghanistan that continues to complement other existing regional mechanisms and processes. They also recognised that the situation in Afghanistan, owing to its central location at the crossroads in Asia and its history, played a critical role in the dynamics of regional peace, security and economic growth.

They said that they believed in a secure, peaceful, stable, and prosperous Afghanistan, with its strong commitment to Human Rights which was not only in its own interest, but also vital to peace, stability and prosperity of the ‘Heart of Asia’ region as a whole, for which it was collective responsibility to help and support Afghanistan in combating the challenges it faced. They also assured to support the Government of Afghanistan’s constructive approach towards regional engagement and its commitment to build an environment of trust and confidence throughout the region.

They considered the conclusion of International Security Assistance Forces’ (ISAF) Mission in Afghanistan, an important step towards Afghan self-reliance and noted the initiation of the non-combat post ISAF Mission focusing on training, advising and assistance to Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF), and hoped it would, therefore, contribute to the early realisation of peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region.

They also commended the hospitality of Pakistan and Iran in hosting millions of Afghan refugees, for the last three decades, despite their own formidable challenges and limitations and urged the international community to provide them with adequate support. They welcomed the initiatives Afghanistan-Pakistan-UNHCR and Afghanistan-Iran-UNHCR Tripartite Commissions on voluntary repatriation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan and Iran respectively.

They urged the international community to provide adequate and sustained support and assistance including within the framework of the solutions strategy for Afghan refugees to enable their voluntary, safe, and dignified repatriation and sustainable reintegration and resettlement in Afghanistan. They urged the Afghan government to take necessary measures to facilitate this process in close cooperation with host countries.

Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk

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